Making the case for civic engagement in schools

Through the Educate to Innovate campaign, the White House hopes to advance science and math education.

Last year, the Texas State Board of Education approved changes to the K-12 science curriculum, effective for the 2010-2011 school year. An op-ed in today’s Houston Chronicle commends the state for recognizing the need for increased focus on science education. State efforts will be bolstered by the federal “Educate to Innovate” campaign, announced last November by President Barack Obama. But the authors also state a need for further support — this time, from the science and engineering communities.

“Teachers are limited by time, large class sizes, inadequate facilities and equipment, pressures to focus on standardized tests, lack of comfort with science content and even resistance to new teaching strategies. The availability of appropriate resources to support science learning is especially critical for teachers in Houston, where experts estimate that up to 42 percent of ninth-grade students will drop out of high school.”

The op-ed notes that the Baker Institute Civic Scientist Program sponsors a program through which Rice-area scientists and engineers visit Houston’s K-12 schools to interact with students. Under the umbrella of the Science and Technology Policy Program, this initiative “demystifies science by exposing K-12 teachers and students to STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] experts; helps teachers incorporate high-level science concepts into the classroom; and inspires students to consider careers in science.”

How do you think we can improve the state of U.S. K-12 science education?

what could be more exciting than space travel/exploration, yet most kids have no clue of the program or interest?

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The mission of the nonpartisan James A. Baker III Institute for Public
Policy is to help bridge the gap between theory and practice of public
policy by drawing together experts from academic, government, media, business
and nongovernmental organizations. By involving policymakers, scholars
and students, the institute seeks to improve the debate on selected public
policy issues and to make a difference in the formulation, implementation and
evaluation of public policy. The institute’s more than 20 programs, which include research, speaking series, events and special projects, have helped attract a host of prominent leaders who provide their views and insights on key issues.